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1 week ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
In episode 690 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Chip writes in for recommendations on the best way to sharpen tools like planes and chisels. He wants to find an effective way to keep a sharp edge on his hand tools that doesn’t cost too much money or take too much time. The podcast crew offers their expertise. Want to attend a Fine Homebuilding Podcast taping in person? Be sure to register for the Fine Homebuilding Summit.
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1 week ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote |Robert D. Sherwood
While you might think that air leaks are a problem only with older houses, we’ve tested old homes that are pretty airtight and brand-new homes that leak lots of air. Air leaks occur wherever there is a joint, gap, or hole in the rigid building materials that enclose a house, such as wall sheathing, framing, and drywall. Making an existing house more airtight is pretty straightforward: Find the holes and seal them up.
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1 week ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
What at first glance appears to be a standard through-window air-conditioning unit is actually a full-fledged heat pump capable of both cooling and heating a space. And it can do all this without dripping condensate down the sides of a building. Thoughtfully engineered and incredibly efficient, Midea‚Äôs Packaged Window Heat Pump is a compact HVAC solution that’s perfect for multi-family homes.
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1 week ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
As wildfires continue to destroy homes and communities across the country, building professionals are looking for insulation solutions that prioritize fire safety and resilience. Enter Rockwool Comfortboard®, a noncombustible insulation option designed for homes in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Use it in wall or roof assemblies along with other noncombustible materials to build more fire-resistant structures without sacrificing performance or efficiency.
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1 week ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
At the 2025 International Builders’ Show, we saw many exciting new products that signal where our industry is headed, one of which was Enertech’s air-to-water heat pump. Unlike the more familiar air-to-air units, these systems move energy into water, allowing for more efficient heating and cooling options for a range of emitters. Water can store energy much more efficiently than batteries, so air-to-water heat pumps make a smart companion to solar systems.
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1 week ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
Tucked into a fence, an arbor, a hedge, or a wall, the gate beckons us toward the entry or into garden rooms beyond. It may be purely decorative, or a discreet property marker—or it might provide privacy and even security. Garden gate designs changed with the era and from region to region. Fences and gates have a vast historical architectural vocabulary, so they are best designed starting with function.
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1 week ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
You don’t need to entirely replace aging or historic windows to make them more energy efficient. Chris Pratt and Ghazi Jendoubi of OpenSash Window Retrofit demonstrate how to improve the performance of old windows without destroying their character. Watch the video above or keep reading to see the entire process. Here’s the TranscriptToday we’re checking out a window restoration on this project.
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2 weeks ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
In this sponsored Fine Homebuilding webinar, an architect and builder team up to help you find the right design, materials, and building techniques for your next outdoor structure. From footings and joinery to shape, style, and more, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started. In this webinar, you’ll learn about:Pergola sizes, shapes, and styles. Different shading options for pergolas. Pergola footings and foundation types. Options for pergola joinery.
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2 weeks ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
To design and build a house with the greatest chance of surviving a wildfire, consider exterior materials, landscape details, and regular maintenance. Note that while some of these details are prescribed by codes, all are considered best practice for homes in wildfire-prone areas. LandscapeA noncombustible area within 5 ft. of the home should have no vegetation or structures that may ignite and spread flames. Use gravel, brick, concrete, or stone as ground cover around the house.
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2 weeks ago | 
finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote
What if you could build a strong, stable foundation without ever lifting a shovel or mixing a batch of concrete? Stop Digging’s ground screws have made this a reality. The oversized steel screws twist directly into the earth, providing serious load-bearing power with minimal site disruption. Watch the video above or keep reading to learn more about these ground screws from Josh Salinger, CEO and founder of Birdsmouth Design Build.
